Between 1 and 10 October 2025, the Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR) of the University of Algarve (UAlg), in partnership with the SEA-EU Alliance, organised the international course “Multiscale Oceanography: From Micro to Macro” (MOMM25) — an initiative supported by the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) and the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR).
The programme was designed to provide young scientists with the knowledge, tools, and interdisciplinary mindset essential for understanding and managing the complexity of marine systems in a changing world.
Held in a hybrid format, MOMM25 combined online modules, laboratory training, and offshore fieldwork. From 1 to 3 October, participants attended virtual sessions on fundamental concepts and interactive discussions; from 6 to 10 October, they gathered in Faro for an intensive week of practical training, modelling, and field activities.
Covering the full spectrum of ocean science — from genes to global circulation, from molecular interactions to biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem patterns — the course integrated experimental, observational, and modelling techniques across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
Participants explored topics such as marine genomics, biogeochemistry, ecotoxicology, plankton ecology, deep-sea processes, physical oceanography, acoustic and visual monitoring, remote sensing, and environmental data science. They worked with real data and advanced instrumentation, developing applied research skills and critical thinking abilities.
Coordinated by Caio Cesar Ribeiro (CCMAR/UAlg), MOMM25 featured a multidisciplinary team of lecturers and guest speakers from institutions in Portugal, Brazil, Spain, and Germany — including experts from CCMAR/UAlg, CIMA/UAlg, IPMA, AWI (Germany), Brazilian universities (UFF, UFPA, UNIFESP), and the Spanish Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) — giving the course a truly international dimension.
Reflecting the commitment of SEA-EU and the University of Algarve to promoting advanced training and the internationalisation of young researchers by creating real opportunities for skills development and transnational networking, a tuition-fee waiver scholarship was awarded to Pedro Rocha, a SEA-EU doctoral fellow enrolled in the PhD programme in Marine, Earth and Environmental Sciences. This distinction recognised the student’s scientific merit and dedication and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the education of its scholars.
“The course truly represented what oceanography is about. The multidisciplinary nature of MOMM25, taught so competently by its instructors, demonstrated the excellence of its organisation. We had the opportunity to attend inspiring lectures and gain valuable knowledge, and most importantly, we could apply this knowledge in practice through laboratory experiences and fieldwork. During the offshore campaign, we learned to operate advanced equipment commonly used in any oceanographic project. Additionally, we met researchers in the field and formed friendships that will undoubtedly become meaningful connections both personally and professionally.” highlighted Pedro Rocha.
SEA-EU played a key role in the practical component, providing the research vessel MarUAlg for offshore sampling campaigns and marine megafauna observation. During the expeditions, participants collected plankton, water, sediment, and benthic organism samples, learned to operate oceanographic instruments in real conditions, and took part in in-situ biodiversity and behavioural observation activities, including cetaceans and large pelagic species.
MOMM25 also stood out for its commitment to equity and inclusion, offering limited financial support to participants from developing countries and reduced fees for economically disadvantaged students — in line with SEA-EU’s mission to empower a more diverse global scientific community.
Laboratory consumables and materials were sponsored by VWR and the Municipality of Faro, while BLife House provided special accommodation conditions for participants, contributing to the course’s logistical success.
Aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and integrated into the framework of the European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), the course fostered international cooperation, educational excellence, and sustainable marine innovation.
With over 180 applications from 45 countries, MOMM25 established itself as a space for training and knowledge exchange, reinforcing the Algarve’s role as an international hub for ocean science and the empowerment of new generations of researchers.
